The Architect of Joy: Jon M. Chu’s Bold Master Plan for Wicked: For Good and Beyond

Director Jon M. Chu discusses the massive success of Wicked, his upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good, and his ambitious slate including Hot Wheels and the Britney Spears biopic.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 9:03 AM EDT

Source: Esquire

The Spielberg Screening and the Validation of Wicked

Before the cultural phenomenon of Wicked fully took hold, Jon M. Chu experienced a career-defining moment on the Universal Studios lot: an impromptu meeting with Steven Spielberg. The legendary director requested a private screening of the musical adaptation, leading to an hour-long technical deep dive. For Chu, a filmmaker whose style—Spielbergian in scale, heart-led, and visually sweeping—has often been compared to the maestro, this encounter served as the ultimate validation of his "two-movie" strategy.

The bold decision to split the Broadway adaptation into two films was initially met with industry skepticism. However, a $756 million global box office haul and multiple Oscar nominations for leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have proven the merit of Chu’s "master plan." As he puts the finishing touches on the sequel, Wicked: For Good, Chu promises a payoff that justifies the split, transitioning from the "sugar candy" aesthetic of the first act into a darker, more politically resonant conclusion.

Transformative Analysis: The Dark Relevancy of Oz in 2026

While Wicked is ostensibly a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, Chu has leaned into the story’s "othering" and political tyranny to mirror current global complexities. Wicked: For Good adapts the second act of the stage play, following Elphaba (Erivo) as she is unfairly villainized by the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum). The director notes that the relevancy of the script has intensified during production, with themes of "fire and brimstone" problem-solving and social division feeling more pointed in 2026 than when filming began.

This shift in tone is strategic. Chu aims to prove that "joyful" movies can still be controversial and courageous. By refusing to deliver a simplified "happily ever after," Chu is positioning the musical genre as a vehicle for serious cultural commentary. The sequel will also introduce Colman Domingo as the Cowardly Lion, adding further gravitas to a cast that Chu claims is "coming to play" in this more demanding second half.